New Zealand have been handed a significant boost ahead of their Test series against England, with the return of all-rounder Mitchell Santner. The 29-year-old will join the squad for the five-match series, which gets underway at Lord's on Thursday.
Santner has been sidelined with a minor injury but has now recovered in time to feature in the series. His experience and skillset will be invaluable to the New Zealand team, who are looking to bounce back from their recent losses.
The New Zealand team is currently preparing for the series, with head coach Gary Stead expressing his excitement about Santner's return. 'Mitchell's return is a huge boost for us,' Stead said. 'He's a world-class all-rounder who brings a lot of experience and skill to the table.'
Santner's return will also provide a much-needed boost to the New Zealand batting and bowling line-up. The all-rounder has been in impressive form in recent months, taking 23 wickets and scoring 246 runs in the past year.
The Test series against England is a crucial one for New Zealand, who are looking to regain their position as one of the top teams in world cricket. With Santner returning to the fold, the team will be feeling more confident about their chances of success.
England, on the other hand, will be looking to make the most of their home advantage. The team will be led by captain Joe Root, who has been in impressive form of late. The series is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams looking to outdo each other.